Yoo Seung-ho Shines in JTBC’s Reality Show with His Quiet Charisma
Korean actor Yoo Seung-ho is charming viewers with his understated yet captivating presence in JTBC’s new reality TV series, The Battle! Paeng-Bong-Paeng-Bong.
The show places two restaurant teams on a small island in Thailand, where they compete to attract more customers. Yoo has taken on the role of a dedicated part-time worker at ‘Paeng Restaurant,’ where traditional Korean dishes like pork soup with rice and boiled pork slices are served. Handling everything from ingredient shopping and prep work to table service and marketing, he has fully immersed himself in the role, earning the nickname “Paeng Seung-ho.”
In Episode 2, which aired on April 26, Yoo’s meticulous preparation and surprisingly skilled stir-frying impressed both viewers and his team. Staying up late into the night to study recipes and delivering flawless dishes such as stir-fried shredded potatoes, he demonstrated his sincerity and passion for his temporary culinary role.
Yoo’s keen observations and ideas also translated into success. After conducting field research during his break, he enhanced the flavor profile of a clear pork soup with spicy red pepper seasoning—a tweak that drew customers and improved sales.
Even amid the pressure of competition, Yoo maintained a respectful and constructive attitude. Instead of being discouraged by a slow customer flow, he studied the rival team’s active marketing tactics and implemented better communication strategies. He even proposed a new spicy stir-fried squid menu to match the vacation-ready vibe of the island setting.
With strategic thinking and passion, Yoo is proving to be a pivotal player in the restaurant’s success. His mellow charm and genuine personality stand in contrast to his more intense on-screen roles, adding a fresh dimension to his evolving public image.
New episodes of The Battle! Paeng-Bong-Paeng-Bong air every Saturday at 7:10 p.m. KST on JTBC.
Meanwhile, Yoo Seung-ho is also taking on the role of Brutus in the stage play Killing Caesar, a reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s classic Julius Caesar. The play will be running from May 10 to July 20 at Sogang University Mary Hall Theater in Seoul.
